Newfoundland Screech
Encyclopedia
Newfoundland Screech is 40% alcohol rum
sold in Newfoundland
. Screech is an award winning rum that, through clever marketing, has a name that was once just a colloquial term to describe almost any cheap, high alcohol spirit, including moonshine
. The only thing that modern Screech has in common with the original spirit is Caribbean heritage.
Screech is manufactured in a process very similar to most rum
s: fermentation of sugarcane, distillation, aging and blending.
According to legend, screech was first created in the days of the Triangle Trade, when the same barrels were used to carry both molasses and rum, and were only occasionally cleaned. The barrels built up a deposit of strongly sweet sediment at the bottom, which was melted out with boiling water and either fermented or mixed with grain alcohol. This concoction, which is not even remotely like the modern rum, eventually became a marketing brand called Screech. It is now a mainstream, mid-priced rum.
The screech sold legally in liquor store
s both in and outside of Newfoundland is blended and bottled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation
. Unlike their counterparts in other provinces, NLC has retained their bottling business. The spirit is widely available in Canada but only distributed in the US in three New England States (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont).
of screech, kiss a cod
fish on the mouth, and answer the question "Is ye an honourary Newfoundlander?" with the phrase "Indeed I is me ol' cock, and long may your big jib draw." After completing these tasks, they receive an official 'Screecher' certificate. This practice is a marketing gimmick developed by the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation (and embraced by the public and bars) which enables it to build and sustain sales of an otherwise standard rum.
Trapper John's and Christian's Pub are famous for this initiation - both are on George Street
, the entertainment district of downtown St. John's
. In addition, the Inn of Olde located in the Quidi Vidi Gut area is well known for their unique approach to Screeching.
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
sold in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. Screech is an award winning rum that, through clever marketing, has a name that was once just a colloquial term to describe almost any cheap, high alcohol spirit, including moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
. The only thing that modern Screech has in common with the original spirit is Caribbean heritage.
Screech is manufactured in a process very similar to most rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
s: fermentation of sugarcane, distillation, aging and blending.
According to legend, screech was first created in the days of the Triangle Trade, when the same barrels were used to carry both molasses and rum, and were only occasionally cleaned. The barrels built up a deposit of strongly sweet sediment at the bottom, which was melted out with boiling water and either fermented or mixed with grain alcohol. This concoction, which is not even remotely like the modern rum, eventually became a marketing brand called Screech. It is now a mainstream, mid-priced rum.
The screech sold legally in liquor store
Liquor store
In the United States, Australia and Canada, a liquor store is a type of store that specializes in the sale of alcoholic beverages. In South Africa and Namibia these stores are generally called bottle stores....
s both in and outside of Newfoundland is blended and bottled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation
Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation
The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation is a provincial crown corporation of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is responsible for managing the importation, sale and distribution of beverage alcohol within the province...
. Unlike their counterparts in other provinces, NLC has retained their bottling business. The spirit is widely available in Canada but only distributed in the US in three New England States (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont).
Screeching In ritual
Screeching In someone visiting Newfoundland for the first time is a longtime custom of many older bars in Newfoundland, in which the person is to drink a shotShot glass
A shot glass is a small glass designed to hold or measure spirits or liquor, which is either drunk straight from the glass or poured into a mixed drink....
of screech, kiss a cod
Cod
Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...
fish on the mouth, and answer the question "Is ye an honourary Newfoundlander?" with the phrase "Indeed I is me ol' cock, and long may your big jib draw." After completing these tasks, they receive an official 'Screecher' certificate. This practice is a marketing gimmick developed by the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation (and embraced by the public and bars) which enables it to build and sustain sales of an otherwise standard rum.
Trapper John's and Christian's Pub are famous for this initiation - both are on George Street
George Street, St. John's
George Street is a street located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, that is known for its many bars and pubs.The short street is populated mainly by bars and pubs and is open only to pedestrians in the evenings and during most of the business day, only being open to traffic from 8:00am...
, the entertainment district of downtown St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. In addition, the Inn of Olde located in the Quidi Vidi Gut area is well known for their unique approach to Screeching.